Emilio Gay, Sonny Baker handed England debut call for Lord's Test vs NZ
Synopsis
England's post-Ashes reset begins with two uncapped names — Durham's Emilio Gay and Hampshire quick Sonny Baker — handed Test call-ups for the Lord's opener against New Zealand. Ollie Robinson returns after 16 months out, while Jofra Archer stays in Barbados, his IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals reshaping England's red-ball calendar.
Key Takeaways
England named uncapped Emilio Gay (Durham) and Sonny Baker (Hampshire) in a 12-man squad for the first Test vs New Zealand .
The Test at Lord's begins on Thursday, 5 June and follows England's 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.
Ollie Robinson returns to the Test squad for the first time since February 2024 .
Jofra Archer is unavailable for the opener; he may feature in the second Test from 17 June .
Brydon Carse is ruled out of the series with a fractured wrist sustained during the IPL.
Spinner Shoaib Bashir returns after missing the Ashes campaign.
England have handed maiden Test call-ups to Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire pacer Sonny Baker in a trimmed 12-man squad for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord's, beginning Thursday, 5 June. The selection, announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board, marks the start of a rebuilding phase after a chastening 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.
Key squad changes
Alongside the two debutants, Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson returns to the Test fold for the first time since February 2024, lending experience to a pace attack that also features Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue. Spinner Shoaib Bashir is back in contention after missing the Ashes tour.
'Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire pace bowler Sonny Baker, who are yet to be capped, are included. Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson returns to the England Test squad for the first time since February 2024,' the ECB said in its statement.
Why Jofra Archer misses out
Fast bowler Jofra Archer will not feature in the opener. After six months on the road during the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, Archer is currently in Barbados and will only return to England after the first Test. He could be available for the second match starting 17 June.
Head coach Brendon McCullum said England would tread carefully. 'Jofra, we need to assess,' McCullum told the BBC. 'He's having a little bit of a break at the moment. We've seen in the past that we can leave Jof to his own devices, work on his game, and follow a plan that has been set. He turns up having followed that plan to a tee.'
'When we see him, we'll work out where he sits and if he's available for the second Test. If not, we'll look at the third Test,' McCullum added.
IPL fallout on selection
The squad reflects the IPL's growing imprint on England's Test preparation. Jacob Bethell, withdrawn early from Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 2026 campaign with a finger complaint, is in line to play at Lord's. Brydon Carse, however, suffered a fractured wrist during the IPL and is unavailable for the New Zealand series despite attending the Loughborough training camp.
England XII for the first Test
Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.
With the squad pared down from 15 to 12, the spotlight at Lord's will fall on whether Gay and Baker can justify their fast-tracked selections — and whether England's reset post-Ashes begins with a statement.
Point of View
But the safety net is thin with Archer absent and Carse injured. The IPL's footprint on this squad is unmistakable: from Bethell's withdrawal to Archer's Barbados break, the white-ball circuit is now shaping England's red-ball readiness in ways the ECB has yet to publicly reconcile.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the uncapped players in England's squad for the first New Zealand Test?
Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker are the two uncapped players named in England's 12-man squad. Both are in line to make their Test debut at Lord's on Thursday.
Why is Jofra Archer not playing the first Test?
Jofra Archer is taking a scheduled break after six months on the road, including the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, and is currently in Barbados. He will not arrive in England before the first Test but could be available for the second match starting 17 June.
When does the first England vs New Zealand Test start?
The first Test begins on Thursday, 5 June at Lord's. It is the opening match of England's home summer and the start of their post-Ashes rebuild.
Is Ollie Robinson back in the England squad?
Yes, Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson has been recalled to the Test squad for the first time since February 2024. He adds experience to a pace attack that includes Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.
What happened to Brydon Carse?
Brydon Carse suffered a fractured wrist during the IPL and will miss the New Zealand series. He attended England's Loughborough training camp but is not fit to play.
